The present work is devoted to Bhairava, a fierce form of the Hindu god Śiva, and focusses on the ways in which he is represented in South Indian sculpture from the 8th to the 13th century AD. This complex and ubiquitous figure, transgressive and yet at the same time a source of salvation, was accorded an exceptionalimportance in the religion and art of medieval India. This study brings to the fore his so far underestimated popularity in South India. Bhairavas exceptionally rich and varied iconography has been examined in the light of both mythological literature (mainly the Purāṇas) and normative treatises (śilpaśāstra, āgama/tantra, collections of dhyānaślokas, etc.). In the course of the book, the author attempts to unveil what this deity meant for those who sculpted, contemplated and worshipped his carved representations.

Keywords

Bhairava, Kṣetrapāla, Śiva, iconography, South India

About the author

Karine Ladrech teaches History of Indian art at the Sorbonne University (Paris IV). Lecturer, member of CREOPS (Centre for Research on the Far East, Paris Sorbonne University), and associated researcher in the “Iranian and Indian worlds” research group (UMR 7528), she focusses her attention on medieval South-Indian art, fierce deities, Śaiva iconography and religious history.